Stolac is often left behind, lying between Mostar and Dubrovnik, two much bigger tourist magnets. But there are real gems hidden between the obvious destinations, and that’s exactly what Stolac is.
With a population of 15,000, the small town has a relaxed, Mediterranean flair. Stolac is also fantastically situated, right on the border between karstic, rocky Herzegovina and green, water-rich Bosnia – so the town is surrounded by cypress trees on rocky hills, criss-crossed by numerous waterfalls.
So be sure to put Stolac on your Bosnia travel list.
The Radimlja necropolis is one of the most impressive historical sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The more than 100 medieval gravestones, known as stećci, are under UNESCO protection.
There are still many unanswered questions about them: Why were they created, what are the stories behind the engravings of knights, vines or religious symbols? Many stories from the time of the Bosnian kingdom have been lost – here, a few are brought back to life.
The old fortress of Stolac towers over the city and you can hike to it in around 20 minutes from the city centre.
It was built over the centuries by many different rulers. The Illyrians built the first structures, the Ottoman rulers and finally the Austro-Hungarian army built on the existing materials and expanded the fortress. Unfortunately, the displays telling you more about the history are a little poor — but admission is free.
During the Iron Age, the region around Stolac was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of Daorson and the ruins of their capital of the same name are located very close to Stolac. You can reach them within ten minutes by car via gravel roads.
Unfortunately, the archaeological site is not particularly well signposted.
Nevertheless, I think it’s worth a visit – because standing among 2,000-year-old ruins and wondering how people were able to build this fortress back then is pretty impressive.
Pjene – Provalije waterfalls Stolac is not only known for its history, but also for its nature (like the whole of Bosnia, to be honest). The two waterfalls Pjene and Provalije offer a welcome cool-down on hot days – and believe me, you need it in Stolac in summer! The Pjene waterfall in particular is a little paradise, where locals go swimming on the hidden beaches in summer.
The Ćuprijska Džamija is one of the most beautiful mosques in Stolac and is located directly on the banks of the Bregava River next to an old Ottoman bridge. The 18th century building makes an ideal photo backdrop.
A walk along the Bregava is definitely a must when exploring Stolac. A walk along the Bregava is definitely part of exploring Stolac. The river meanders through the town and if you follow it, you will come to all the important sights – old Ottoman houses, stone bridges or small waterfalls. If you follow the Bregava, you will eventually reach the Begovina, an old Ottoman courtyard with stately houses. Unfortunately, it is always a bit of a gamble whether the gates are open or not.